Program guide system with flip and browse advertisements

ABSTRACT

An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed in program listings display regions on program guide screens. The program listings display regions may be browse displays or flip displays. The program guide screens contain video for the current channel to which the user is tuned. The program listings display regions containing the advertisements may be overlaid on top of the current channel. Alternatively, the video for the current channel may be provided in a reduced-size video window. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. Advertisements may be selectable. When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to interactive television program guides,and more particularly, to techniques for presenting advertising to usersof such television program guides.

[0002] Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems provideviewers with a large number of television channels. Viewers havetraditionally consulted printed television program schedules todetermine the programs being broadcast at a particular time. Morerecently, interactive electronic television program guides have beendeveloped that allow television program information to be displayed on aviewer's television.

[0003] Interactive program guides are typically implemented on set-topboxes. Such program guides allow users to view television programlistings in different display formats. For example, a user may instructthe program guide to display a grid of program listings organized in achannel-ordered or a time-ordered list. Users may also search and sortprogram listings by theme (e.g., movies, sports, etc.) or by title (i.e,alphabetically). A user may obtain additional information for a programby placing a highlight region on a desired program listing and pressingan “info” key. The user may purchase a pay program from the programguide or may set a reminder for a future program by placing thehighlight region on a program listing and pressing an “OK” key. Somesystems allow the user to select a program for recording by placing thehighlight region on a program listing and pressing a “record” key.

[0004] Program guides with a browse or flip display are capable ofgenerating an overlay containing program listings information for asingle channel. Browse displays contain information on programsavailable on channels other than the channel to which the user iscurrently tuned. The user may browse through program listings for otherchannels and other times using cursor keys, without changing the currentchannel. Flip displays contain information for the current channel. Whenthe flip display is activated, using the up or down channel keys causesthe both the current channel to change and the flip display to beupdated accordingly.

[0005] Although flip and browse displays are useful, it would bedesirable if more information were available to the user of suchdisplays. For example, it would be desirable if advertisements wereavailable in flip and browse displays to provide the users of suchdisplays with additional information.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aninteractive television program guide system that provides advertising onflip and browse displays.

[0007] It is also an object of the invention to provide an interactivetelevision program guide system with special effects for removing suchflip and browse displays from the user's television screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] These and other objects of the invention are accomplished inaccordance with the principles of the present invention by providing asystem having an interactive television program guide that providesvideo (including audio) for the current channel and a program listingsdisplay region containing a program listing for a single channel and anadvertisement. The program listings display region may be either abrowse display in which the channel or time for the program listing maybe different than the current channel or time or a flip display in whichthe channel for the program listing and the current channel are thesame.

[0009] A browse display may be provided in which a user may change thechannel for the program listing by navigating a highlight to anadvertisement adjacent to the program listing with a cursor key and byactivating that cursor key again after the advertisement has beenhighlighted.

[0010] The advertisement may be selectable. When the user selects theadvertisement, the program guide may take an appropriate action. If theadvertisement is related to programming, selecting the advertisement maydirect the program guide to perform a programming related task such assetting a reminder for a program, tuning to a program, recording aprogram, ordering a pay-per-view program, etc. If the advertisement is aconventional advertisement, selecting the advertisement may direct theprogram guide to assist in the ordering of a product or service, toprocess an inquiry for additional information, to display additionalinformation, etc.

[0011] Multiple advertisements may be provided within the programlistings display region. Advertisements may contain text, graphics, andvideo.

[0012] The program listings display region may be removed by the programguide using a special effect such as a wipe, a dissolve, a fade, etc.

[0013] Further features of the invention, its nature and variousadvantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system in which an interactive televisionprogram guide is implemented in accordance with the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system similar to the system of FIG. 1showing how servers may be located at network nodes in accordance withthe present invention.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a simplified plan view of an illustrative remote controlin accordance with the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of conventionalbrowse displays.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of conventionalflip displays.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a diagram of an illustrative browse display containingan advertisement in accordance with the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a diagram of another illustrative browse displaycontaining an advertisement in accordance with the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating how a browse display containingan advertisement may be provided with a highlight that may be navigatedto the advertisement in accordance with the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a diagram of an illustrative flip display containing anadvertisement in accordance with the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating how a browse or flip display maybe removed from the user's television screen using a special effect.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating steps involved in providingflip and browse displays and in removing such displays from the user'stelevision screen using special effects.

[0025]FIG. 12 is a diagram of another illustrative flip or browsedisplay in accordance with the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 13 is a diagram of an illustrative advertisement inaccordance with the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 14 is a flow chart of steps involved in providing aselectable advertisement and taking suitable actions in the programguide in response to selection of the advertisement by a user inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] An illustrative program guide system 30 in accordance with thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 1. Main facility 32 contains aprogram guide database 34 for storing program guide information such astelevision program guide listings data, pay-per-view orderinginformation, television program promotional information, etc. Mainfacility 32 also contains an advertising database 36 for storingadvertising information. Information from databases 34 and 36 may betransmitted to television distribution facility 38 via communicationslink 40. Link 40 may be a satellite link, a telephone network link, acable or fiber optic link, a microwave link, a combination of suchlinks, or any other suitable communications path. If it is desired totransmit video signals (e.g., for advertising and promotional videos)over link 40 in addition to data signals, a relatively high bandwidthlink such as a satellite link is generally preferable to a relativelylow bandwidth link such as a telephone line.

[0029] Television distribution facility 38 is a facility fordistributing television signals to users, such as a cable system headed,a broadcast distribution facility, or a satellite televisiondistribution facility.

[0030] The program guide information transmitted by main facility 32 totelevision distribution facility 38 includes television program listingsdata such as program times, channels, titles, descriptions, etc.Transmitted program information also includes pay program data such aspricing information for individual programs and subscription channels,time windows for ordering programs and channels, telephone numbers forplacing orders that cannot be impulse ordered, etc. The advertisinginformation transmitted by main facility 32 to television distributionfacility 38 includes text, graphics, and video advertisements forvarious products and services. If desired, some of the program guide andadvertising information may be provided using data sources at facilitiesother than main facility 32. For example, data related to pay programorder processing (e.g., billing data and the like) may be generated byan order processing and billing system that is separate from mainfacility 32 and separate from television distribution facility 38.Similarly, advertising information may be generated by an advertisingfacility that is separate from main facility 32 and televisiondistribution facility 38.

[0031] Regardless of its source, advertising information may bemaintained on a server 42 within television distribution facility 38 ifdesired. Server 42 may be capable of handling text, graphics, and video.

[0032] Television distribution facility 38 distributes program guide andadvertising information to the user television equipment 44 of multipleusers via communications paths 46. User television equipment may be anysuitable equipment for providing television to the user that containssufficient processing capabilities to implement an interactivetelevision program guide. Paths 46 may be cable links, fiber opticlinks, satellite links, broadcast links, or other suitable link orcombination of such links. Any suitable communications scheme may beused to transmit data over paths 46, including in-band transmissions,out-of-band transmissions, digital transmissions, analog transmissions,cable transmissions, satellite transmissions, over-the-airtransmissions, multichannel multipoint distribution services (MMDS)transmissions, etc.

[0033] If desired, program guide data may be distributed over anout-of-band channel on paths 46 or over an in-band path such as thevertical blanking interval (VBI). Advertising information may bedistributed using any of a number of suitable techniques. For example,text and graphics advertisements may be distributed over an out-of-bandchannel using an out-of-band modulator. Video advertisements may also bedistributed in this way, although large quantities of video informationmay be more efficiently distributed using one or more digital channelson path 46. Such digital channels may also be used for distributing textand graphics.

[0034] Each user has a receiver, which is typically a set-top box suchas set-top box 48, but which may be other suitable television equipmentsuch as an advanced television receiver into which circuitry similar toset-top-box circuitry has been integrated or a personal computertelevision (PC/TV). Program guide data is distributed to set-top boxes48 periodically. Television distribution facility 38 may also pollset-top boxes 48 periodically for certain information (e.g., pay programaccount information or information regarding programs that have beenpurchased and viewed using locally-generated authorization techniques).Main facility 32 preferably contains a processor to handle informationdistribution tasks. Each set-top box 48 preferably contains a processorto handle tasks associated with implementing a program guide applicationon the set-top box 48. Television distribution facility 38 may contain aprocessor for handling tasks associated with the distribution of programguide and advertising information.

[0035] Each set-top box 48 is typically connected to an optionalvideocassette recorder 50 so that selected television programs may berecorded. Each videocassette recorder 50 is connected to a television52. To record a program, set-top box 48 tunes to a particular channeland sends control signals to videocassette recorder 50 (e.g., usinginfrared transmitter 43) that direct videocassette recorder 50 to startand stop recording at the appropriate times.

[0036] During use of the interactive television program guideimplemented on set-top box 48, television program listings may bedisplayed on television 52. Each set-top box 48, videocassette recorder50, and television 52 may be controlled by one or more remote controls54 or any other suitable user input interface such as a wirelesskeyboard, mouse, trackball, dedicated set of keys, etc.

[0037] Communications paths 46 preferably have sufficient bandwidth toallow television distribution facility 38 to distribute scheduledtelevision programming, pay programming, advertising and otherpromotional videos, and other video information to set-top boxes 44 inaddition to non-video program guide and advertising data. Multipletelevision and audio channels (analog, digital, or both analog anddigital) may be provided to set-top boxes 48 via communications paths46. If desired, program listings and advertising information may bedistributed by one or more distribution facilities that are similar tobut separate from television distribution facility 38 usingcommunications paths that are separate from communications paths 46.

[0038] Certain functions such as pay program purchasing may requireset-top boxes 48 to transmit data to television distribution facility 38over communications paths 46. If desired, such data may be transmittedover telephone lines or other separate communications paths. Iffunctions such as these are provided using facilities separate fromtelevision distribution facility 38, some of the communicationsinvolving set-top boxes 48 may be made directly with the separatefacilities.

[0039] Users may interactively order additional information, products,or services. Such orders may be satisfied by fulfillment facilities 49and 51. If desired, orders may be transmitted directly to fulfillmentfacilities such as fulfillment facility 51 via links 53, which may betelephone links, the Internet, or other suitable communications links.Orders may also be transmitted to television distribution facility 38via links 46, where the billing system of the television distributionfacility may be used. After the television distribution facility 38 hasprocessed the user's order, television distribution facility 38 maytransmit the order to fulfillment facility 49 via link 55.

[0040] A number of suitable techniques may be used to distribute videosrelated to advertising. For example, if each path 46 includes a numberof traditional analog television channels, one or more of these channelsmay be used to support a number of digital channels. The bandwidth ofeach analog channel that is used to support digital channels may supportten or more of such digital channels. If desired, videos may be providedfrom server 42 in a continuously looped arrangement on these digitalchannels. Information provided to set-top box 48 may then be used todetermine which digital channels to tune to when it is time to display adesired video. Alternatively, videos may be provided on demand. Withthis approach, set-top box 48 and server 42 may negotiate to determine achannel on which to provide the desired video. Videos that originatefrom main facility 32 or a separate facility are preferably distributedto user television equipment 44 using these or other suitabletechniques.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the capabilities of server 42 may be providedusing servers 56 located at network nodes 58. Servers such as servers 56may be used instead of server 42 or may be used in conjunction with aserver 42 located at the television distribution facility.

[0042] Graphics information for advertisements may be downloadedperiodically (e.g., once per day) to set-top boxes 48 of FIG. 1 andstored locally. The graphics information may be accessed locally whenneeded by the program guide implemented on set-top box 48.Alternatively, graphics information may be provided in acontinuously-looped arrangement on one or more digital channels on paths46. With such a continuously-looped arrangement, a map indicating thelocation of the latest graphics information is preferably downloadedperiodically to set-top boxes 48 (e.g., once per day). This allows thecontent on the digital channels to be updated. The program guides onset-top boxes 48 may use the map to locate desired graphics informationon the digital channels. Another approach involves using a server suchas server 42 or servers 56 (FIG. 2) to provide the graphics informationafter a set-top box 48 and that server have negotiated to set up adownload operation. A bitmap or other suitable set of graphicsinformation may then be downloaded from the server to the set-top box.If desired, the server may download instructions informing the set-topbox where the desired graphics information can be located on aparticular digital channel. The graphics information can be updatedperiodically if the server that is responsible for downloading theinstructions for informing the set-top box of the location of thegraphics information is also updated periodically.

[0043] Text information for advertisements may be provided to set-topboxes 48 using the same paths that are used for distributing programguide data. For example, advertising data from database 36 of FIG. 1 maybe provided to set-top boxes 48 using link 40, television distributionfacility 38, and paths 46. The text information may be stored locally inset-top boxes 48 and updated periodically (e.g., once per day).

[0044] Text information, graphics information, and videos foradvertisements may also be distributed using a combination of thesetechniques or any other suitable technique.

[0045] If desired, advertising related information (whether video,graphics, text, or a combination of video, graphics, and text) may bepresented to the user based on the user's interests, as determined bythe user's interactions with the program guide. This is described inKnudson et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/034,939, filed Mar.4, 1998, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

[0046] A suitable remote control 60 that may be used to operate theprogram guide implemented on user television equipment 44 is shown inFIG. 3. Remote control 60 has cursor keys 62, a select or “OK” key 64,channel up and down keys 66. Remote control 60 also has various otherkeys for controlling the program guide and user television equipmentthat are not shown to avoid over-complicating the drawings.

[0047] A conventional program guide browse display arrangement is shownin FIG. 4. Video for the current channel to which the user's set-top boxis tuned (i.e., the current channel that the user is viewing) isdisplayed on the user's television screen 68. When the user presses aremote control cursor key, browse display 70 is provided as an overlayon top of screen 68. Initially, browse display 70 contains programlistings information for the current channel and time (e.g., channel 6and 10:30 AM), as shown on the upper screen in FIG. 4. If the userpresses a cursor key, the video for the current channel that isdisplayed on screen 68 is not changed, but the program listingsinformation in browse display 70 is changed to the next availablechannel (e.g., channel 7), as shown on the lower screen in FIG. 4. Asindicated by arrows 72, the user may use cursor keys to browse programlisting for various other channels and times without disturbing thevideo for the current channel that is displayed on screen 68. If theuser locates a currently airing program of interest, the user may pressa remote control “OK” key that directs the program guide to tune to thechannel for that program. Pressing the “OK” key when the program listingin the browse display is a future program directs the program guide toprovide an opportunity to set a reminder for that program.

[0048] A conventional flip display arrangement is shown in FIG. 5. Videofor the current channel to which the user is tuned is displayed onscreen 74. When the user presses a remote control channel up or downkey, flip display 76 is provided as an overlay on top of screen 74. Asshown on the upper screen in FIG. 5, flip display 76 contains programlistings information for the current channel (e.g., channel 6). If theuser presses a channel up or down key, the video for the current channelthat is displayed on screen 74 is changed to the next available channel(e.g., channel 7) and the program listings information in flip display76 is also changed to the next available channel (e.g., channel 7), asshown on the lower screen in FIG. 4.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in one mode (browse mode) the programguide provides a program listings overlay (the browse display) that isallowed to go out of synchronization with the current channel, whereasin another mode (flip mode) the program guide provides a programlistings overlay (the flip display) in which the current channel and theprogram listings information in the overlay remain in synchronization.The user may operate the program guide in either browse mode or flipmode by using the appropriate remote control keys (e.g., cursor keys forbrowse mode and channel up and down keys for flip mode).

[0050] In accordance with the present invention, the program guideprovides browse and flip displays that contain advertisements. Anillustrative browse display that may be provided by the program guide isshown in FIG. 6. Video for the current channel to which the user (i.e.,set-top box 48 of FIG. 1) is tuned is displayed on screen 78. When theuser presses a suitable key such as a remote control cursor key 62 (FIG.3), the program guide implemented on user television equipment 44 ofFIG. 1 provides browse display 80 as an overlay on top of screen 78(which may be, e.g., the screen of television 52 of FIG. 1). Browsedisplay 80 contains advertisement 82 and may contain a logo 83.Advertisement 82 may contain text, graphics (including animation), andvideo. Advertisement 82 may be a programming-related advertisement thatis used to promote a television program or channel or may be aconventional advertisement used to promote non-programming products andservices. If desired, advertisement 82 may be selectable by the user(e.g., using remote control keys). If advertisement 82 is selectable,the program guide may take various actions upon selection ofadvertisement 82 by the user. The content of advertisement 82 may becycled (i.e., replaced periodically by another advertisement). A fademay be provided between advertisements as they are cycled.

[0051] When browse display 80 is initially invoked by the user bypressing a cursor key 62, browse display 80 contains program listing 84for the current channel (e.g., channel 6) and time, as shown on theupper screen in FIG. 6. If the user presses a cursor key 62, the videofor the current channel that is displayed on screen 78 is not changed,but the program listing 84 in browse display 80 is changed to the nextavailable channel (e.g., channel 7), as shown on the lower screen inFIG. 6. As indicated by arrows 86, the user may use cursor keys tobrowse program listing for various other channels without disturbing thevideo for the current channel that is displayed on screen 78. If theuser locates a program of interest with browse display 80, the user maypress “OK” key 64 to direct the program guide to tune to the channel forthat program.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, the program guide may provide a browsedisplay 88 that allows the user to browse program listings for programsthat are scheduled to be aired at times other than the current time.Arrow keys 90 indicate that the user may use left and right cursor keys62 to direct the program guide to display program listings information92 for different times. Pressing the “OK” key 64 when the program inbrowse display 88 is a future program may direct the program guide toprovide an opportunity to set a reminder for the program or to schedulea recording of the program. As with the arrangement of FIG. 6, browsedisplay 88 of FIG. 7 contains an advertisement 94.

[0053] If advertisements such as advertisements 82 and 94 areselectable, the browse display may be provided with a movable highlightas shown in FIG. 8. When browse display 104 of FIG. 8 is initiallyoverlaid on screen 106 (e.g., when the user first presses a cursor key64), the program guide provides a highlight 108 positioned on programlisting 110, as shown in the upper screen of FIG. 8. If the user pressesan up cursor key 62, program listing 110 is changed to the programlisting for the next available channel and highlight 108 remainspositioned on the listing. If the user presses a down cursor key 62,program listing 110 is not changed. However, highlight 108 is positionedon advertisement 112, as shown in the center screen of FIG. 8. Furtheractivation of the down cursor key 62 directs the program guide toreplace the existing program listing 110 (e.g., the program listing forchannel 2) with the program listing for the previous channel (e.g., theprogram listing for channel 1), as shown in the lower screen of FIG. 8.When the browse display is as shown in the lower screen of FIG. 8,further activation of the down cursor key 62 scrolls the programlistings further, but does not move highlight 108. Activation of the upcursor key 62 when the browse display is as shown in the lower screen ofFIG. 8 moves highlight 108 back to program listing 110, without changingthe channel for the program listing 110.

[0054] Another way in which the program guide may allow the user toselect advertisements such as advertisements 82 and 94 is to provide aspecial remote control button. Left and right cursor keys may be used toaccess advertisements (e.g., panel advertisements to the left or rightof the program listing) if desired.

[0055] A program guide flip display 96 containing an advertisement 98 isshown in FIG. 9. Video for the current channel to which the user (i.e.,set-top box 48) is tuned is displayed on screen 100. When the userpresses a suitable key such as a channel up or down key 66 (FIG. 3),flip display 96 is provided as an overlay on top of screen 100. As shownon the upper screen in FIG. 9, flip display 96 contains a programlisting 102 for the current channel (e.g., channel 6). If the userpresses a channel up or down key 66, the video for the current channelthat is displayed on screen 100 is changed to the next available channel(e.g., channel 7) and the program listing 102 in flip display 96 ischanged to the next available channel (e.g., channel 7), as shown on thelower screen in FIG. 9.

[0056] Another aspect of the invention involves removing programlistings displays such as browse and flip displays from the screen.Browse displays may be removed after a period of inactivity (e.g., 5minutes) that indicates that the user is no longer interested inbrowsing the program listings. The flip display (which may appearautomatically whenever the user changes channels with the channel keys)may be removed after a shorter period of time (e.g., 5 seconds).

[0057] The program guide may remove program listings displays such asbrowse and flip displays from the screen using special effects. One suchspecial effect (a vertical glide) is illustrated in FIG. 10. A full-sizebrowse or flip display 114 is shown overlaid on the upper screen 116 ofFIG. 10. After a suitable time period (e.g., after 5 minutes if display114 is a browse display or after 5 seconds if display 114 is a flipdisplay), the program guide smoothly glides display 114 off of screen116, as shown in the center and lower screens 116 of FIG. 10.

[0058] The glide effect shown in FIG. 10 is only one illustrativespecial effect that may be used to remove program listings displays fromthe screen. Any suitable special effect may be used to remove suchdisplays. Examples of suitable special effects include glides,dissolves, collapses, bounces, explosions, etc.

[0059] Steps involved in using such special effects to remove a programlistings display from the screen are shown in FIG. 11. At step 118, theprogram guide provides the user with an opportunity to select a desiredspecial effect for the program guide to use in removing programlistings. The user may make this selection from a suitable setup menu inthe program guide. The user is also provided with an opportunity todeselect or otherwise cancel the use of these special effects. At step120, the program guide provides a program listings display such as aflip or browse display on a screen (e.g., the user's television screen)in user television equipment 44. After a suitable time period (e.g.,after 5 minutes if display 114 is a browse display or after 5 seconds ifdisplay 114 is a flip display), the program guide removes the programlistings display (e.g., the flip or browse display) from the screenusing a special effect at step 122. The program guide may use a defaultspecial effect at step 122 or may use a special effect selected by theuser at step 118.

[0060] Another browse and flip display arrangement containingadvertising is shown in FIG. 12. Screen 124 contains a reduced-sizevideo window 126 containing video for the channel to which the user(i.e., set-top box 48) is tuned. Screen 124 also contains advertisements128 a, 128 b, and 128 c. Logos 130 and a region 132 containing thecurrent time and current channel may also be contained in screen 124.Program listing 134 may be provided in screen 124 adjacent toreduced-size video window 126. Program listing 134 may contain channelinformation 136, title information 138, and icons 140 (e.g., for showingratings information, close-captioning status, etc.).

[0061] Like the browse and flip program listings display regions shownin FIGS. 6-9, program listings display region 142 contains a singleprogram listing (for the program “ER” in the example of FIG. 12) and maycontain one or more advertisements if desired. However, because videowindow 126 is reduced in size (i.e., it occupies less than a fullscreen), it is not necessary to overlay program listings display region142 on top of the current channel.

[0062] Program listings display region 142 may operate in either browsemode or flip mode. The user may invoke the browse mode by activating acursor key or other suitable key. Further use of the cursor key inbrowse mode directs the program guide to change the program listing 134to a new channel without changing the channel for video window 126. Ifdesired, left and right cursor keys may be used to browse programlistings for different times. Activating “OK” key 64 directs the programguide to tune the channel for video window 124 to the channel of thecurrent program listing. The user may invoke the flip mode by activatinga channel up or down key or other suitable key. Further use of thechannel up or down key in the flip mode directs the program guide tochange the channel for both video window 126 and program listing 134simultaneously. If desired, advertisement 128 c may be omitted toprovide more space for listing 134 and video window 126. The user maynavigate to panel advertisements such as advertisements 128 a and 128 busing special (e.g., dedicated or numeric) remote control buttons or byusing the left and right cursor keys (in which case the left and rightcursor keys are not used for browsing program listings at differenttimes).

[0063] As shown in FIG. 13, advertisements such as the advertisements inthe program listings display regions shown in FIGS. 6-9 and 12 maycontain video text and graphics. More than one advertisement may bedisplayed in each program listings display if desired.

[0064] Advertisements such as those shown in FIGS. 6-9 and 12 may beselectable. The user may navigate to a selectable ad using any suitablearrangement, such as using special remote control navigation keys. Oncethe user has navigated to a given advertisement, the user may selectthat advertisement using an “OK” key. Any other suitable technique forselecting an advertisement may be used if desired.

[0065] Steps involved in using selectable advertisements are shown inFIG. 14. At step 144, the program guide provides a selectableadvertisement in a flip or browse display. At step 146, the user selectsthe advertisement. At step 148, the program guide takes a suitableaction. If the advertisement is for a television program that iscurrently being aired, the program guide may provide the user with anopportunity to tune to that program. If the advertisement is for afuture television program, the program guide may provide the user withan opportunity to set a reminder for that program. If desired, theprogram guide may provide the user with an opportunity to have theprogram recorded. Pay-per-view and video-on-demand (VOD) programs may beordered. When an advertisement is for a particular television channel,selecting the advertisement may direct the program guide to provide theuser with a list of programs for that channel. Additional information(e.g., on a program, product, or service) may be requested by selectingcertain advertisements. Brochure and literature requests and other suchinquiries for additional information may be handled by the program guideat step 148 if the user selects an advertisement involving such aninquiry. Selectable advertisements may also be provided that promotegoods and services. If the user selects such an advertisement at step146, the program guide system may process an order for the goods orservices being advertised at step 148.

[0066] The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of thisinvention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system in which an interactive televisionprogram guide is implemented on user television equipment comprising:means for providing a program guide screen with the interactivetelevision program guide that contains video for a given channel; andmeans for providing a program listings display region in the programguide screen that contains a program listing for a single channel and anadvertisement.
 2. The system defined in claim 1 wherein the means forproviding the advertisement further comprises means for providing anadvertisement that contains text.
 3. The system defined in claim 1wherein the means for providing the advertisement further comprisesmeans for providing an advertisement that contains graphics.
 4. Thesystem defined in claim 1 wherein the means for providing theadvertisement further comprises means for providing an advertisementthat contains video.
 5. The system defined in claim 1 further comprisinga set-top box on which the interactive television program guide isimplemented.
 6. The system defined in claim 1 wherein the advertisementcontains video, the system further comprising: a television distributionfacility for distributing television programming to the user televisionequipment; and a video server located in the television distributionfacility for providing the advertisement to the user televisionequipment.
 7. The system defined in claim 1 wherein the advertisementcontains video, the system further comprising: a television distributionfacility for distributing television programming to the user televisionequipment; a plurality of network nodes for use in providing thetelevision programming to the user television equipment; and at leastone video server located at one of the network nodes for providing theadvertisement containing video to the user television equipment.
 8. Thesystem defined in claim 1 wherein the means for providing theadvertisement further comprises means for providing a selectableadvertisement.
 9. The system defined in claim 1 further comprising meansfor cycling the content of the advertisement.
 10. The system defined inclaim 1 further comprising: means for cycling the content of theadvertisement; and means for providing a fade between advertisements asthey are cycled.
 11. The system defined in claim 1 wherein the programlistings display region is a browse display, the system furthercomprising means for providing the browse display in the program guidescreen.
 12. The system defined in claim 1 wherein the program listingsdisplay region is a browse display, the system further comprising meansfor providing the browse display in the program guide screen overlaid onthe video for the given channel.
 13. The system defined in claim 1wherein the program listings display region containing the programlisting and the advertisement is a browse display containing the programlisting and the advertisement, the system further comprising: means foroverlaying the browse display on the video for the given channel; andmeans for providing a highlight; and means for navigating the highlightfrom the program listing to the advertisement.
 14. The system defined inclaim 1 wherein the program listings display region containing theprogram listing and the advertisement is a browse display containing theprogram listing and the advertisement, the system further comprising:means for overlaying the browse display on the video for the givenchannel; and means for providing a highlight; means for navigating thehighlight from the program listing to the advertisement; and means forchanging the program listing in the browse display when the highlight ison the advertisement.
 15. The system defined in claim 1 wherein theprogram listings display region is a flip display, the system furthercomprising means for providing the flip display in the program guidescreen overlaid on the video for the given channel.
 16. The systemdefined in claim 1 further comprising means for providing the videocontained in the program guide screen in a reduced-size video window.17. The system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for providingthe video window contained in the program guide screen in a reduced-sizevideo window, wherein the program listings display region is a browsedisplay.
 18. The system defined in claim 1 further comprising means forproviding the video window contained in the program guide screen in areduced-size video window, wherein the program listings display regionis a flip display.
 19. The system defined in claim 1 further comprisingmeans for removing the program listings display region using specialeffects.
 20. The system defined in claim 1 further comprising means forremoving the program listings display region using a wipe.
 21. Thesystem defined in claim 1 further comprising means for providing theprogram listings display region with more than one advertisement. 22.The system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for providing aprogram listing in the program listings display region that is for adifferent channel than the given channel.
 23. The system defined inclaim 1 wherein the advertisement is a selectable advertisementpromoting a program, the system further comprising means for recordingthe program when the advertisement is selected.
 24. The system definedin claim 1 wherein the advertisement is a selectable advertisement for aproduct, the system further comprising means for ordering the productwhen the advertisement is selected.
 25. A method for using aninteractive television program guide implemented on user televisionequipment comprising the steps of: providing a program guide screen withthe interactive television program guide that contains video for a givenchannel; and providing a program listings display region in the programguide screen that contains a program listing for a single channel and anadvertisement.
 26. The method defined in claim 25 wherein the step ofproviding the advertisement further comprises the step of providing anadvertisement that contains text.
 27. The method defined in claim 25wherein the step of providing the advertisement further comprises thestep of providing an advertisement that contains graphics.
 28. Themethod defined in claim 25 wherein the step of providing theadvertisement further comprises the step of providing an advertisementthat contains video.
 29. The method defined in claim 25 furthercomprising the step of implementing the interactive television programguide on a set-top box.
 30. The method defined in claim 25 wherein theadvertisement contains video, the method further comprising the stepsof: distributing television programming to the user television equipmentwith a television distribution facility; and providing the advertisementcontaining video to the user television equipment using a video serverlocated in the television distribution facility
 31. The method definedin claim 25 wherein the advertisement contains video, the method furthercomprising the steps of: distributing television programming to the usertelevision equipment with a television distribution facility; providingthe television programming to the user television equipment using aplurality of network nodes; and providing the advertisement containingvideo to the user television equipment using a video server located atone of the network nodes.
 32. The method defined in claim 25 wherein thestep of providing the advertisement further comprises the step ofproviding a selectable advertisement.
 33. The method defined in claim 25further comprising the step of cycling the content of the advertisement.34. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising the steps of:cycling the content of the advertisement; and providing a fade betweenadvertisements as they are cycled.
 35. The method defined in claim 25wherein the program listings display region is a browse display, themethod further comprising the step of providing the browse display inthe program guide screen.
 36. The method defined in claim 25 wherein theprogram listings display region is a browse display, the method furthercomprising the step of providing the browse display in the program guidescreen overlaid on the video for the given channel.
 37. The methoddefined in claim 25 wherein the program listings display regioncontaining the program listing and the advertisement is a browse displaycontaining the program listing and the advertisement, the method furthercomprising the steps of: overlaying the browse display on the video forthe given channel; and providing a highlight; and providing anopportunity for a user to navigate the highlight from the programlisting to the advertisement.
 38. The method defined in claim 25 whereinthe program listings display region containing the program listing andthe advertisement is a browse display containing the program listing andthe advertisement, the method further comprising the steps of:overlaying the browse display on the video for the given channel; andproviding a highlight; providing an opportunity for a user to navigatethe highlight from the program listing to the advertisement; andproviding the user with an opportunity to change the program listing inthe browse display when the highlight is on the advertisement.
 39. Themethod defined in claim 25 wherein the program listings display regionis a flip display, the method further comprising the step of providingthe flip display in the program guide screen overlaid on the video forthe given channel.
 40. The method defined in claim 25 further comprisingthe step of providing the video contained in the program guide screen ina reduced-size video window.
 41. The method defined in claim 25 furthercomprising the step of providing the video contained in the programguide screen in a reduced-size video, wherein the program listingsdisplay region is a browse display.
 42. The method defined in claim 25further comprising the step of providing the video contained in theprogram guide screen in a reduced-size video, wherein the programlistings display region is a flip display.
 43. The method defined inclaim 25 further comprising the step of removing the program listingsdisplay region using special effects.
 44. The method defined in claim 25further comprising the step of removing the program listings displayregion using a wipe.
 45. The method defined in claim 25 furthercomprising the step of providing the program listings display regionwith more than one advertisement.
 46. The method defined in claim 25further comprising the step of providing a program listing in theprogram listings display region that is for a different channel than thegiven channel.
 47. The method defined in claim 25 wherein theadvertisement is a selectable advertisement promoting a program, themethod further comprising the step of recording the program when theadvertisement is selected.
 48. The method defined in claim 25 whereinthe advertisement is a selectable advertisement for a product, themethod further comprising the step of ordering the product when theadvertisement is selected.
 49. A system in which an interactivetelevision program guide is implemented on user television equipmentcomprising: means for providing a program guide screen containing aprogram listings display region; and means for removing the programlistings display region using a special effect.
 50. The system definedin claim 49 wherein the means for removing the program listings displayregion comprises means for removing the program listings display regionusing a wipe.
 51. The system defined in claim 49 further comprisingmeans for providing the user with an opportunity to select a desiredspecial effect for use in removing the program listings display region.52. A method for using an interactive television program guideimplemented on user television equipment comprising the steps of:providing a program guide screen containing a program listings displayregion; and removing the program listings display region using a specialeffect.
 53. The method defined in claim 52 wherein the step of removingthe program listings display region comprises the step of removing theprogram listings display region using a wipe.
 54. The method defined inclaim 52 further comprising the step of providing the user with anopportunity to select a desired special effect for use in removing theprogram listings display region.
 55. A system in which an interactivetelevision program guide is implemented on user television equipmentcomprising: means for providing a program guide screen with theinteractive television program guide that contains a reduced-size videowindow for a given channel; and means for providing a program listingsdisplay region in the program guide screen that contains a programlisting for a single channel.
 56. The system defined in claim 55 whereinthe means for providing the program listings display region furthercomprises means for providing a browse display.
 57. The system definedin claim 55 wherein the means for providing the program listings displayregion further comprises means for providing a flip display.
 58. Amethod for using an interactive television program guide implemented onuser television equipment comprising the steps of: providing a programguide screen with the interactive television program guide that containsa reduced-size video window for a given channel; and providing a programlistings display region in the program guide screen that contains aprogram listing for a single channel.
 59. The method defined in claim 58wherein the step of providing the program listings display regionfurther comprises the step of providing a browse display.
 60. The methoddefined in claim 58 wherein the step of providing the program listingsdisplay region further comprises the step of providing a flip display.